In true old school do it yourself style, NZMA building students in South Auckland have been busy building their own campus in Otahuhu.

NZMA has taken over an 8000 square metres site on Great South Road in Otahuhu, and is in the process of fitting it out with brand new classrooms, workshops, and labs. It is intended the site will be a hub for students wanting to learn trades skills in South Auckland.

“Currently students are engaged in the building project as part of their Certificate in Building Level 4, which has included demolition and framing work”, says NZMA Chief Executive, Mark Worsop.

“It’s giving them valuable hands-on experience, and importantly, showing them what’s needed to land a job in the busy building industry.”

Future launch pad for a range of useful careers

With demand growing for skilled workers in all parts of the building and construction industry, the campus will be a career launch pad for hundreds of students once it is officially opened next year. These students will be studying Electrical Engineering, Painting and Plastering, Plumbing, Gas Fitting and Drain Laying in a single NZMA hub.

The entire community is set to gain some benefit with the campus development, with strong numbers of Maori and Pasifika students, as well as those who have recently moved to New Zealand, getting a head-start on their careers.

There is certainly no better way to learn about the construction industry than to do it yourself, and NZMA is giving young people building experience they’d find hard to get anywhere else.